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Key takeaways
- Clearing app cache is the fastest way to fix a slow Fire TV.
- Cache buildup causes lag, buffering, and crashes across apps.
- You can clear cache per app or all at once in under a minute.
If you have ever settled in for a cozy night of streaming, only to watch your Fire TV crawl through menus and buffer forever, you know how frustrating that can feel, right down to fighting the urge to chuck your remote at the TV. Whether you are using a Fire TV Stick, a Fire TV Cube, or a smart TV with Fire OS built in, slow performance can quickly drain the joy out of binge-watching.
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If you've tried everything -- rebooting, unplugging, and updating -- and still feel like you're wading through molasses, here's a tip that takes under a minute. I wrote about 10 Fire TV settings I changed to instantly improve performance, but if you only have time to do one thing, I suggest clearing cache and app data. It's hands down the most impactful tweak you can make.
How to clear cache and app data on Fire TV
What you'll need: Any Fire TV device or Fire OS-powered TV, a Fire TV remote, and a streaming app installed.
1. Open the Settings menu
Grab your Fire TV remote and head to the home screen. Look for the gear-shaped Settings cog and select it.
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2. Select Applications
Once you're in Settings, scroll until you find the Applications submenu and select it.
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3. Go to Manage Installed Applications
Under Applications, you'll see several options.
Choose Manage Installed Applications. This displays every app currently installed on your Fire TV. Scroll through until you find the ones that are the laggiest or crash most often. It's typically the apps you love and use that have accumulated a lot of temporary files or cache.
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You don't need to clear them all, but you can (more on that later). For now, I recommend you start with your biggest offenders, like Netflix and YouTube.
4. Choose an app to clear
Highlight the app you want to purge and press select it.
On the next screen, you'll see options like Launch Application, Force Stop, Clear Cache, and Clear Data.
Clearing the cache is what you'll want to consider first. It deletes all the temporary files that the app uses to load faster. Unfortunately, when those files pile up, they can actually slow things down.
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Each app will tell you the amount of cache it has stored on your Fire TV once you highlight it.
5. Clear app cache (and clear data, if needed)
Once you're on the app and its menu, select Clear Cache and confirm.
This process usually takes just a second or two, and most of the time clearing the cache alone is enough to restore performance. It won't log you out or delete the app, so no worries there.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also select Clear Data, but keep in mind that clearing data resets the app to its factory state, so you'll need to sign in again and reset any preferences.
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If you want to clear all app caches at once, rather than individually, go back to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. From there, select Clear all application caches, and then confirm.
When you're finished, press the Home button to return to streaming.
See how quick that was to do? In seconds, you can improve your Fire TV, with no technical wizardry required. Give it a try next time you're stuck staring at the spinning wheel and wondering why things are loading so slowly.
FAQs
What does clearing cache and app data actually do?
Clearing cache removes temporary files and bits of data that streaming apps and games store to launch and work faster. Over time, these files can accumulate and slow down performance. Cached files can sometimes consume hundreds of megabytes, or even gigabytes, of storage. By wiping cache, you not only get snappier performance but also free up space.
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Clearing cache will restore speed without affecting your saved settings. Since it only deletes temporary data, your logins, watch lists, and in-app preferences remain intact. If you choose Clear Data, however, it resets everything as if you had just installed the app.
How often should I clear cache and app data?
For most apps you use regularly, clearing cache once every month or so is often enough. If you notice lag or slow loading times, clear the cache immediately. Keep in mind, Fire TV will automatically clear the cache for unused apps after 30 days if storage runs low.
Does clearing cache work on all Fire TV models?
Yes. The steps are the same whether you're using a Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, or a smart TV running Fire OS.
Can I clear all app caches at once on my Fire TV?
Yes, Amazon now lets you clear all app caches at once, instead of one by one. Under Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, just select Clear all application caches, and then confirm.
Can I clear app cache from Amazon's website?
Yes, as an alternative option, you can clear your Fire TV device's cache through the Amazon website. Here's how:
- Go to Manage Your Content and Devices .
- From Devices, select your Fire TV device.
- Select Clear Your Fire TV Cache.
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